Generalized auto media selector

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/435,301, filed on May 9, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,324,507 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/991,046, filed Nov. 21, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,054,309 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/438,933, filed on Jan. 9, 2003. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/667,731, filed on Apr. 1, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0002The present invention relates to computer networks, and more particularly to an automatic media selector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0003Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a data link layer <b>10</b> of the open systems interconnection (OSI) model includes a logical link control (LLC) layer <b>12</b> and a media access control (MAC) layer <b>14</b>. The LLC layer <b>12</b> addresses and exchanges data with a network layer <b>16</b>. The MAC layer <b>14</b> provides an interface between the LLC layer <b>12</b> and a physical layer device <b>18</b>. The MAC layer <b>14</b> frames data for transmission over the network and then passes the frame to the physical layer device <b>18</b> for transmission as a stream of bits. In other words, the MAC layer <b>14</b> frames data into distinct units or packets that are transmitted one at a time over the network.

0004The physical layer device <b>18</b> typically includes a physical coding sublayer (PCS) <b>20</b>, a physical medium attachment (PMA) sublayer <b>22</b>, and an autonegotiation sublayer <b>24</b>. A medium dependent interface (MDI) <b>26</b> connects the physical layer device <b>18</b> to media <b>28</b> such as twisted pair wires, optical fiber, or other media. The IEEE 802.3 specification, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, further defines how physical network interfaces operate with different types of media such as coaxial cable, twisted-pair cable, and optical fiber.

0005The autonegotiation sublayer <b>24</b> initiates the exchange of information between two connected network devices and automatically configures the devices to take maximum advantage of their respective abilities. The autonegotiation sublayer <b>24</b> advertises the abilities of the network device, acknowledges receipt, identifies common modes of operation, and rejects the use of operational modes that are not shared or supported by both devices. When more than one common mode of operation exists between the devices, an arbitration function of the autonegotiation layer <b>24</b> identifies and selects a single mode of operation. After autonegotiation is complete, the devices establish a link and exchange data.

0006To improve flexibility, the physical layer device <b>18</b> of some network devices has been designed to be connected to different types or speeds of media. Alternatively, multiple physical layer devices may be present to handle different types or speeds of media. The manufacturer and/or the user may not know a priori the types or speeds of media that will be used, and the media used may change over time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0007A network media selection system comprises a memory that stores priority information for each of a plurality of ports and a media selector module that communicates with the memory, that receives activity signals and link signals from the plurality of ports, and that uses the activity signals, the link signals, and the priority information to generate enable signals for the plurality of ports. A respective port attempts to establish a link when a corresponding one of the enable signals is in a first state, and the respective port detects physical layer activity when a corresponding one of the enable signals is in a second state. The media selector module selectively sets enable signals to the second state for all of the plurality of ports other than a target port, which has the highest priority and has generated a link signal.

0008In other features, the priority information associates each of the plurality of ports with a unique priority level. The media selector module sets an enable signal for a senior port to the first state if the senior port has a higher priority than the target port and generates an activity signal. The media selector module sets enable signals to the second state for all of the plurality of ports other than the senior port and the target port when the senior port enable signal is in the first state. The media selector module sets enable signals to the second state for all of the plurality of ports other than the senior port when the senior port enable signal is in the first state.

0009In still other features, the media selector module sets enable signals to the first state for all of the plurality of ports a predetermined period after the senior port enable signal is set to the first state. The predetermined period is based upon a period required for a link to be established on physical media associated with the senior port, a period typically required for a link to be established on physical media associated with the senior port, and/or a maximum expected period required for a link to be established on physical media associated with the senior port.

0010In further features, the media selector module sets enable signals to the second state for all of the plurality of ports except for the target port when the media selector module receives a link signal from the target port. The media selector module sets enable signals to the second state for all of the plurality of ports except for the target port a predetermined period after receiving a link signal from the target port. The predetermined period is based upon a period required for a link to be established on physical media associated with one of the plurality of ports, upon a typical period required for a link to be established on physical media associated with a port corresponding to a highest priority level, and/or upon a maximum expected period required for a link to be established on physical media associated with a port corresponding to a highest priority level.

0011A physical layer device comprises the network media selection system and further comprises a plurality of ports that communicate with the media selector module and that each communicate with a physical media. Each of the plurality of ports monitors the physical media corresponding to the port for activity. Each of the plurality of ports attempts to establish a link over physical media corresponding to the port when a corresponding one of the enable signals is in a first state. Each of the plurality of ports operates in a low power mode when monitoring physical energy.

0012A network media selection system comprises memory means for storing priority information for each of a plurality of ports and media selecting means for communicating with the memory, receiving activity signals and link signals from the plurality of ports, and generating enable signals for the plurality of ports using the activity signals, the link signals, and the priority information, wherein a respective port attempts to establish a link when a corresponding one of the enable signals is in a first state, and the respective port detects physical layer activity when a corresponding one of the enable signals is in a second state, and wherein the media selecting means selectively sets enable signals to the second state for all of the plurality of ports other than a target port, which has the highest priority and has generated a link signal.

0013In other features, the priority information associates each of the plurality of ports with a unique priority level. The media selecting means sets an enable signal for a senior port to the first state if the senior port has a higher priority than the target port and generates an activity signal. The media selecting means sets enable signals to the second state for all of the plurality of ports other than the senior port and the target port when the senior port enable signal is in the first state. The media selecting means sets enable signals to the second state for all of the plurality of ports other than the senior port when the senior port enable signal is in the first state.

0014In still other features, the media selecting means sets enable signals to the first state for all of the plurality of ports a predetermined period after the senior port enable signal is set to the first state. The predetermined period is based upon a period required for a link to be established on physical media associated with the senior port, upon a period typically required for a link to be established on physical media associated with the senior port, and/or upon a maximum expected period required for a link to be established on physical media associated with the senior port. The media selecting means sets enable signals to the second state for all of the plurality of ports except for the target port when the media selecting means receives a link signal from the target port.

0015In other features, the media selecting means sets enable signals to the second state for all of the plurality of ports except for the target port a predetermined period after receiving a link signal from the target port, upon a period required for a link to be established on physical media associated with one of the plurality of ports, upon a typical period required for a link to be established on physical media associated with a port corresponding to a highest priority level, and/or upon a maximum expected period required for a link to be established on physical media associated with a port corresponding to a highest priority level.

0016A physical layer device comprises the network media selection system and further comprises a plurality of ports that communicate with the media selecting means and that each communicate with a physical media. Each of the plurality of ports monitors the physical media corresponding to the port for activity. Each of the plurality of ports attempts to establish a link over physical media corresponding to the port when a corresponding one of the enable signals is in a first state. Each of the plurality of ports operates in a low power mode when monitoring physical energy.

0017In still other features, the methods described above are implemented by a computer program executed by one or more processors. The computer program can reside on a computer readable medium such as but not limited to memory, non-volatile data storage and/or other suitable tangible storage mediums.

0018Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided after. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0019The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a diagram of the open systems interconnection (OSI) model;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a functional block diagram of an exemplary physical layer device (PHY);

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a functional block diagram of an exemplary media selection system for a PHY;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flow chart depicting exemplary steps performed by a media selection system according to the principles of the present invention; and

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an exemplary state diagram of a media selection system according to the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

0025The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used, the term module refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

0026Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, an exemplary physical layer device (PHY) <b>100</b> is depicted. The exemplary PHY <b>100</b> includes N media ports. In this implementation, N is equal to four. The N ports include a fiber 1000BASE-X first port <b>102</b>, a parallel 10GBASE-X second port <b>104</b>, a LAN/WAN serial 10GBASE-R/10GBASE-W third port <b>106</b>, and a copper 10GBASE-T/1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX/10BASE-T fourth port <b>108</b>. One skilled in the art will recognize that a PHY may have additional or fewer media ports, and the media ports may be of different type.

0027The media ports <b>102</b>, <b>104</b>, <b>106</b>, and <b>108</b> communicate with a media independent module <b>110</b>. The media independent module <b>110</b> provides a media independent interface <b>112</b>, such as with XGMII/GMII/MII signals, as shown in the exemplary PHY <b>100</b>. Alternatively, the interface may be a XAUI interface, or an extended XGMII interface, disclosed in “Media And Speed Independent Interface,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/114,842, filed Apr. 26, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

0028Each of the media ports is able to sense when there is energy (or activity) on its physical media. The first media port <b>102</b> is shown receiving signal G_INP/N and transmitting G_OUTP/N. The second media port <b>104</b> is shown receiving signals X_INP/N[3:0] and transmitting X_OUTP/N[3:0]. The third media port <b>106</b> is shown receiving signal S_INP/N and transmitting S_OUTP/N. The fourth media port <b>108</b> is shown communicating signals MDIP/N[3:0]. These signals are media and implementation dependent. As described below, the media independent module <b>110</b> chooses one media port to connect with the media independent interface <b>112</b>.

0029Each of the media ports is capable of sensing whether there is activity (or energy) on its physical medium. This information is communicated to the media independent module <b>110</b> in the form of activity signals. Each of the media ports also communicates its network link status to the media independent module <b>110</b> in the form of link signals. One skilled in the art will recognize that the activity and link signals may be multiplexed over the same physical connection.

0030Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, a functional block diagram of an exemplary media selection system for a PHY is presented. A media selector module <b>142</b> communicates with a priority storage module <b>144</b>. The media selector module <b>142</b> communicates with at least two media ports <b>146</b>. The priority storage module <b>144</b> contains information regarding priority of the media ports <b>146</b>, i.e., which media port is preferred with respect to other media port for establishing a connection. The priority information assigns a distinct priority to each media port <b>146</b>, such that a list can be formed with the highest priority media port at the top and the lowest priority media port at the bottom. The media selector module <b>142</b> uses the priority information to maintain a link on the highest priority media port <b>146</b> that is possible. This priority information may be default or pre-programmed values, or may be set by the end user.

0031Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, a flow chart depicts exemplary steps taken by the media selector module <b>142</b> in determining which media port will be selected. Control starts at step <b>202</b> and transfers to step <b>204</b>. In step <b>204</b>, control attempts to establish links on all of the media ports. Control then transfers to step <b>206</b>, where the established link of the highest priority port is chosen and all other links are blocked. Blocked links operate in a minimal power mode, with only a low-power circuit to detect energy on the physical media. Control then transfers to step <b>208</b>. In step <b>208</b>, control determines whether energy is sensed on a higher priority port. If so, control transfers to step <b>210</b>; otherwise, control remains in step <b>208</b>.

0032In step <b>210</b>, ports with a priority below the higher priority port of step <b>208</b> are blocked. Optionally, the lower priority port on which a link is currently established can remain on, pending a link being established on the higher priority port of step <b>208</b>. Power constraints of the PHY <b>18</b> may only allow for one link at a time, in which case all lower priority ports will be blocked. In step <b>212</b>, a timer is set, and upon expiration of the timer, control transfers to step <b>214</b>. The timer value is set based on the time typically (or alternately, maximally) required for the media of the higher priority port of step <b>208</b> to establish a link. In step <b>214</b>, all links are unblocked and control returns to step <b>206</b>.

0033Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, a state diagram of an exemplary media selection system according to the principles of the present invention is presented. In this exemplary media selection system, four media ports and therefore four corresponding priority levels are present. Each media port is assigned a distinct priority level. The media port with the highest priority (the most preferable network link) is referred to as port one, the media port with the second highest priority is port two, etc. One skilled in the art will recognize that more or fewer ports may be employed. Control begins in state <b>300</b>, where all four ports are unblocked and each attempts to establish a link. If a link is established on port one, control transfers to state <b>302</b>. If no link is established on port one, but a link is established on port two, control transfers to state <b>304</b>; otherwise, if a link is established on port three, control transfers to state <b>306</b>; otherwise, if a link is established on port four, control transfers to state <b>308</b>.

0034In state <b>302</b> ports two through four are blocked. If the established link goes down, control returns to state <b>300</b>. In state <b>304</b> ports one, three, and four are blocked. If the established link goes down, control returns to state <b>300</b>. If, in state <b>304</b>, energy is sensed on port one, control transfers to state <b>310</b>. In state <b>310</b> ports two, three, and four are blocked and a timer is started. The timer value is based on the typical (or optionally, maximum expected) time required for a link to be established on the physical media used by port one. When the timer is done, control transfers to state <b>300</b>. This timed delay gives the (preferred) port one a head start in establishing a link.

0035In state <b>306</b> ports one, two, and four are blocked. If the established link goes down, control returns to state <b>300</b>. If, in state <b>306</b>, energy is sensed on port one, control transfers to state <b>310</b>. Otherwise, if energy is sensed on port two, control transfers to state <b>312</b>. In state <b>312</b> ports three and four are blocked and a timer is started with a value corresponding to port two. When the timer is done, control returns to state <b>300</b>.

0036In state <b>308</b> ports one through three are blocked. If the established link goes down, control transfers to state <b>300</b>. If energy is sensed on port one, control transfers to state <b>310</b>. Otherwise, if energy is sensed on port two, control transfers to state <b>312</b>; otherwise, if energy is sensed on port three, control transfers to state <b>314</b>. In state <b>314</b> port four is blocked and a timer is started with a value corresponding to port three. When the timer is done, control returns to state <b>300</b>. Selective blocking depends upon power requirements. If the physical layer device can support the power draw of multiple simultaneous links, the port with a currently active link may remain unblocked until the higher priority port has actually established a link.

0037One skilled in the art will recognize that there are various methods of detecting and qualifying energy. A partial discussion of how to detect energy on physical media is presented in “Ethernet Automatic Media Selection Logic,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/991,046, filed Nov. 21, 2001, and “Ethernet Automatic Media Selection Logic With Preferred Medium Selector,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/435,301, filed May 9, 2003, which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

0038Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification and the following claims.